The Arctic “Spring” Challenge

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There’s not much Troop 12 does that gets cancelled due to weather, but the January Arctic Challenge had to be rescheduled to March due to flooding at Camp Glen Gray. Sure enough we were met with cold rainy weather anyway. But that didn’t stop us. Our scouts are resilient, persistent, and cheerful. Those qualities and some excellent leadership and planning led our two teams to victory. The boys’ team “Arya’s Shirt” won third place in the senior division! The girls team “Salamanders” won second place in the standard division!

Fire building, first aid, hatchet throwing, orienteering, knots and lashings, memory game, model campsite, ice rescue, and teamwork. There is always room for improvement, but our scouts demonstrated enough skill in these areas to do very well at this competition against twelve other teams. But mostly it was about challenging themselves to work together and do their best.

Troop 12’s Wreath Sale Fundraiser

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This year’s wreath sale was a great success. We raised money to support our many troop activities, including scholarships and camperships for everyone who needs one. Thank you to all of the scouts who sold wreaths and to the Montclair community for supporting our troop. We couldn’t do it without you.

NYC Veterans Day Parade

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Troop 12 Girls joined Troops 19 and 99 to march in the New York City Veteran’s Day Parade along with Intrepid Former Crew Members. It was such an honor and a thrill to participate and share in the patriotic pride evident during the event. We enjoyed meeting scouts, scouters, and our wonderful hosts and honoring the many military veterans who turned out for the parade.

November Campout

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Outdoor Chef Cooking Challenge

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This was the first time in many years our troop participated in this cooking competition at Camp Glen Gray. Our creative chefs were up to the challenge, although maybe a little too creative for the judges. The scouts learned a lot and look forward to honing their skills for next year.

High Point Hike

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What a gorgeous hike, but challenging, especially in the light rain. We had to take precautions scrambling and hiking over wet rocks, but the stunning views on the Blue Dot Trail were worth it. Thank you to Kiyoshi for leading us on this 5-mile hike on the Blue Dot Trail, Appalachian Trail, and finally the Monument Trail to our destination and back again safely. We could barely make out the High Point Monument in the mist but nonetheless felt achievement making it there.

Fall Court of Honor

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Scouts were awarded merit badges earned at summer camp and during spring merit badge classes. Cooper was awarded Life rank and we have several new scouts with Scout rank. New scouts who attended our first training camp were awarded Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit, so now they can carry pocket knives, use woods tools, and build fires. Alexandria and Zahra were awarded Recruiter strips for bringing friends into the troop. Arya and Aiden were awarded their 3rd and 2nd Mile Swim patches and Aiden was awarded BSA Lifeguard. Emma was named Grand Poobah for raising the most money for our troop in our fall plant sale. Participants were recognized for participating in the Montclair 4th of July parade, summer camp, the polar bear swim, the summer hike and picnic, our first training camp at Glen Gray, our fall plant sale, and the Six Flags camporee.

Six Flags Camporee

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Two nights of tent camping and a day of thrilling rides at Great Adventure amusement park, what a combination!

The thrill-seeking scouts, the red group.

How many times did we go on this ride? It was like Deja Vu.

Red and yellow groups joined together for a moderately thrilling ride.

Back at camp with our mascot.

Kicking Off Another Year of Scouting

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Troop 12 scouts, scouters, family, and friends kicked off another year of scouting. With a growing girls troop and a bunch of new scouts, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation for an excellent year.

Cooper, Henry, and Arya lead an entertaining demonstration of Bad Backpack – Good Backpack

Summer Hike and Picnic

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Troop 12 scouts and families celebrated the end of summer and welcomed some of our new scouts with a hike in Mills Reservation and picnic in Mountainside Park.